Automatically openable and closable umbrella

ABSTRACT

An easily and smoothly automatically openable and closable umbrella is obtained from the arrangement comprising a tubular shaft having an outer tubular shaft member slidably housing the rein an upper, an intermediate and a lower independent inner tubular shaft member, a first ring fixed to the upper shaft member for carrying ribs, an umbrella-opening compressible first spring means mounted on a core rod and provided between the intermediate and the lower shaft members in said shaft, an umbrella closing compressible spring means provided between said rib and said fixed ring at a spaced relation form the rib, a second ring fixed to the top of the outer shaft member and positioned below said first fixed ring and serving to support rib-supporting extensible rods, a third ring below said second ring to carry rods for supporting said extensible rods, a fourth ring for carrying spokes which support the ribs, an umbrellaopening compressible second spring means mounted on said shaft for urging the upper and intermediate members away, umbrellaopening latch means capable of engaging both the outer shaft member and the fourth ring, and umbrella-closing latch means provided in the lower shaft member.

1 United States. Patent Sato [15] 3,658,077 1 Apr. 25, 1972 [541AUTOMATICALLY OPENABLE AND CLOSABLE UMBRELLA [72] inventor: Yoshio Sato,Nagareyama, Japan [73] Assignee: Kabushiki Kalsha ldeal, Tokyo, Japan[22] Filed: July 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 59,389

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 6, 1969 Japan ...44/621 13Aug. 6, 1969 Japan.... .44/74615 Aug. 6, 1969 Japan... ...44/621l4 Jan.29, 1970 Japan ..45/79l5 [52] US. Cl. ..135/22, 135/24 [51] ..A45b 25/16[58] Field of Search ..135/20-31 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,705,967 4/1955 Zimmermann et al ..135/22 2,906,277 9/1959Miiitano ...135/22 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 649,229 9/1962 Canada..135/24 1,194,108 6/1965 Germany ..135/24 1,299,098 7/1969 Germany..l35/22 Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell A!!0rney--Cushman, Darby &Cushman [57] ABSTRACT An easily and smoothly automatically openabie andclosable umbrella is obtained from the arrangement comprising a tubularshaft having an outer tubular shaft member slidably hous- .ing the reinan upper, an intermediate and a lower independent inner tubular shaftmember, a first ring fixed to the upper shaft member for carrying ribs,an umbrella-opening compressibie first spring means mounted on a corerod and pro- 'vided between the intermediateand the lower shaft membersin said shaft, an umbrella closing compressible spring means providedbetween said rib and said fixed ring at a spaced relation form the rib,a second ring fixed to the top of the outer shaft member and positionedbelow said first fixed ring and serving to support rib-supportingextensible rods, a third ring below said second ring to carry rods forsupporting said exten- 5 Claims, 32 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 25 1972SHEET 01 OF 10 INVENTOR. W M BY ml v Mm H-ttme NE 15 PATENTEDAPR 25 I972SHEET 02 [1F 10 INVENTOR mmw b ii Maw Hits/aways PATENTED APR 2 5 I972SHEET 03 0F 10 PATENTED APR 2 5 1972 sum nu or 10 INVENTOR- W MPATENTEDAPRZS 1972 3, 658.077

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SHEET 10 HF 10 24 FIG. 28 FIG. 32 lflf z 440 X w m. 29 48c 46 Y.INVENTOR. BY 704/1 Jain CuALW/ -7SMJVv AUTOMATICALLY OPENABLE ANDCLOSABLE UMBRELLA The present invention is concerned with an umbrellaand more particularly it relates to an umbrella which permits the userto perform automatic smooth opening and closing of the umbrella by themere depression of a depressable button. Still more particularly, thepresent invention relates to an umbrella comprising a tubular shafthaving, in combination, a tubular outer shaft member slidably housingtherein an upper, an intermediate and a lower tubular shaft member; acompressible first coil spring provided in a compressed state betweenthe intermediate and the lower shaft members within the outer shaftmember; and a compressible second coil spring mounted on a sleeve memberof a third ring mounted on the outer shaft member, said umbrella beingoperative so that these two coil springs are allowed to extend whilemutually associating with each other to thrust the upper shaft memberthrough the upper end of the outer shaft member and to thereby spreadthe ribs pivoted to the first ring secured to the upper shaft member,thus automatically opening the umbrella and concurrently extending theumbrella-closing compressible coil spring coupled to each rib and, atspace relationtherefrom, to the fixed first ring resulting in theaccumulation of its restoring force, said umbrella further beingoperative so that, by releasing the outer shaft member of its engagementwith the lower shaft member to allow said outer shaft member to moveupthe outer shaft member as mutual relative movements to therebyautomatically close the umbrella. This improved umbrella features thatthe compressible first coil spring housed within the outer shaft memberis mounted on a guide core rod and that the expansion ofthis coil springis restricted by the tubular stopper member located at the lower end ofthe guide core rod and further that the automatic opening and closing ofthe umbrella is performed very easily and smoothly by the manipulationof either the double-acting depressable button or the push buttonprovided on the lower end portion of the lower shaft member.

The drawings show a couple of preferred embodiments of the automaticallyopenable and closable umbrella of the present invention by wayofexample, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevation, partly in section, of the umbrella frame ofthe present invention, showing the positional relationship between thetubular outer shaft member and the three inner tubular shaft members ofa shaft when'the umbrella is closed and the ribs are gathered and thebeads formed at the free ends of the ribs are engaged inside the opentop of the bead-anchoring ring;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the same umbrellaframe, showing the state in which the bead-anchoring ring is pusheddownwardly and the ribs are released;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the same umbrellaframe, showing the state in which it is opened;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the same umbrellaframe, showing the state in which the umbrella is automatically closedas a result of releasing the outer shaft member with respect to theinner lower shaft member;

FIG. 5 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of the upperportion of the shaft of the same umbrella frame shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 6 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of the upperportion of the shaft of the same umbrella frame shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of the upperportion of the shaft of the same umbrella frame shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of the upperportion of the shaft of the same umbrella frame shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of thebead-anchoring portion shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of thebead-anchoring portion shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of thebead-anchoring portion shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. I2 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of thebead-anchoring portion shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view ofa sleeve member of the third ringmounted on the outer shaft member and adapted to slide on said outershaft member by being urged by a compressible second coil spring mountedon said sleeve member;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view ofthe compressible coil spring mounted onthe sleeve member in FIG. 13;

FIG. I5 is a perspective view of a washer ring and a pin for supporting,in combination, the lower end ofthe compressible coil spring showninFIG. I4;-

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the compressible first coil springhoused within the outer shaft member and adapted to expand between theintermediate and the lower member;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a guide core rod for guiding the saidcompressible first coil spring housed within the outer shaft member;

FIG. I8 is a perspective view of a tubular stopper member mounted on thelower end of theguide core rod;

FIG. 19 isa perspective view of a tubular washer for supporting thecompressible first coil spring provided at the lower end oftheintermediate inner shaft member;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a tubular washer for supporting thecompressible first coil spring provided at the upper end ofthe lowerinner shaft member;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a double-acting depressable button foractuating two spring-actuated locking member;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a spring-actuated locking memberpivotably attached to stopper ring securely mounted on the outer shaftmember withinthe bead-anchoring ring;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a spring-actuated locking memberadapted to engage or released from the engaging hole formed in the lowerend portion ofthe outer shaft member:

FIGS. 24 through 32 show another embodiment utilizing spring-actuatedlocking members ofdifferent types in place of the double-actingdepressable button; in which FIG. 24 is a larger scale side elevation,partly in section, of the portion of the umbrella frame in which thefourth ring is provided when the umbrella is in the state shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 25 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, ofthe'portion of the umbrella frame in which the fourth ring is providedwhen'the ribs are released from the bead-anchoring ring representing thestate of the umbrella frame shown in FIG; 2;

FIG. 26 is a larger scale side elevation, partly in section, of theportion of the umbrella frame in which the spring-actuated lockingmember of the lower inner shaft member is provided when the umbrellaframe is in the state shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 27 is a larger scale side elevation, partly insection, of theportion of the umbrella frame in which the fourth ring is provided whenthe umbrella frame is in the state shown in FIG. 4 in which thespring-actuated locking member is depressed;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the fourth ring and its tubular gripsleeve;

' FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a locking member pivotably attachedto the projecting flange of the tubular grip sleeve;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a bead-anchoring ring;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a cover member mounted on the lower endportion of the tubular grip sleeve of the fourth ring; and

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a spring-actuated locking member.

It is to be understood that like reference numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts.

The present invention will hereunder be described on the firstembodiment by referring to the drawings.

A shaftof the umbrella of the present invention comprises, incombination, a tubular outer shaft member 1 slidably housing thereinthree tubular inner members, i.e., an upper shaft member 2, anintermediate shaft member 3, and a lower shaft member 4. Saidupper-shaft member 2 protrudes outwardly from the upper end edge of theouter shaft member 1. A first ring 6 carrying ribs 5 pivotably attachedat one end is fixed to said upper shaft member 2. This first ring 6 hasan auxiliary ring 6a provided integrally at the lower end of the firstring 6. A pulling rod 8 coupled at one end to a compressible coil spring7 is pivotably attached at the other end to said auxiliary ring 6a. Saidcompressible coil spring 7 is adapted to expand when the rib 5 spreadsso that the coil spring 7 accumulates its restoring force during itsexpansion. The lower inner shaft member 4 protrudes outwardly from thelower end edge ofthe outer shaft member 1 and received in and secured tothe central recess or bore of a grip 9. A compressible-first coil spring10 is provided for 'free expansion within the outer shaft member 1between the intermediate shaft member 3 and the lower shaft member 4. Asecond ring 12 is fixed bya pin 11 at the upper end of the outer shaftmember 1. This pin 11 passes through the elongated slits 13 and 13formed diametrically in the upper shaft member 2. A short auxiliary rod14a is pivotably attached at one end to the second ring 12. 'A tubularextensible rod 14 is slidably mounted at one end on said aux iliary rod14a and pivotably attached at the other end to a fitting 15 which, inturn, is secured to an appropriate intermediate site of the rib 5. Theother end of said compressible coil spring 7 is secured to said fitting15. A tubular sleeve member 16 is slidably mounted on the outer shaftmember 1. A third ring 17 is secured to the upper end of the tubularsleeve member 16.- A supporting rod 18 is pivotably coupled to saidthird ring 17 and to an appropriate intermediate site of the extensiblerod 14. A pin.2l passes transversely through the wall of theintermediate shaft member 3. The opposite end portions of this pin 21further pass through the elongated slits l9 and 19 formed diametricallythrough the wall ofthe tubular sleeve member 16 and also through theelongated slits 20 and 20 formed diametrically through the wall of theoutershaft member 1..The opposite'ends of the pin 21 are secured towasher ring 22 which, in turn, is mounted on the tubular sleeve member16. A compressible second coil spring 23 is mounted on the tubularsleeve member 16 between the washer ring 22 and third ring 17. A tubulargrip sleeve 25 for a fourth ring 24 is slidably mounted on the outershaft member 1 below the tubular sleeve member 16. A spoke 26 ispivotably coupled at one end to the fourth ring 24 and at the other endto a fitting 15a which is secured to the rib 5 at an outer positionclose to the fitting 15. A tubular washer28 and the upper portion of aguide core rod 29 are secured by a pin 27 to the lower end of theintermediate shaft member 3. The guide core rod 29 extends downwardlyalong the central axis of the outer shaft member 1 within this lattermember 1 and is loosely received through a tubular washer 30 (see FIG.7) which, in turn, is securely mounted on top of the lower shaft member4. The lower end of the guide core rod 29 is secured by a pin 32 to atubular stopper member 31 which is slidably received in the tubularlower shaft member 4. The compressible first coil spring 10 which isprovided between the intermediate shaft member 3 and the lower shaftmember 4 is mounted around the guide core rod 29 between the tubularwashers 28 and 30. The opposite end portions of a pin 34 which issecured across the lower shaft member 4 are received through theelongated slits 33 and 33 which are formed diametrically in the wall ofthe tubular stopper member 31. A double-acting depressable button 35 ispivotably attached at its central portion by a pin 36 to the outer faceof the grip 9 which is secured to the lower end portion of the lowershaft member 4. A spring-actuated locking member 37 adapted to beactuated upon depression of a touch piece 350 which constitutes thelower portion of the double-acting depressable button 35 is received inan engaging hole 4a formed in the lower shaft member 4 through anengaging hole la formed in the lower end portion of the outer shaftmember 1. On the other hand, a spring-actuated locking member 38 adaptedto be actuated upon depression ofa touch piece 35b which constitutes theupper portion of the doubleacting depressable button 35 is pivotablyattached to a stopper ring 39 which is securely mounted on the lower endof the outer shaft member 1. A compressible coil spring 41 is mountedbetween said stopper ring 39 and ahead-anchoring ring 40 which, in turn,is slidably mounted on the lower shaft member 4 and adapted to bereceived in the top opening of the grip 9. The spring-actuated lockingmember 38 is provided with two engaging notches 42a and 42b which areformed in two upper and lower stages in the lower end portion of thelocking member 38. In the expanded position of the compressible coilspring 41 which is effected when the beadanchoring ring 40 is moveddownwardly on the lower shaft member 4 relative to the stopper ring 39,the lower engaging notch 42a is brought intoengagement with thelowermost end edge of the bead-anchoring ring 40. On the other hand, inthe compressed position of the compressible coil spring 41 which iseffected ,when the bead-anchoring ring 40 is moved upwardly relative tothe stopper ring 39, the upper engaging notch 42b is brought intoengagement with the lowermost end edge of the bead-anchoring ring 40.

Let us now assume that the umbrella frame having the foregoingarrangement is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Upon a slightdepression of the upper touch piece 35b of the double-acting depressablebutton 35, the upper engaging notch 42b of .the spring-actuated lockingmember 38 is relieved of its engagement with the lowermost end edge ofthe bead-anchoring ring 40. Whereby, this bead-anchoring ring 40 iscaused to move downwardly on the lower shaft member 4 owingto theexpansion of the compressible coil spring 41. Along with this, thelowermost free ends of the ribs 5 which have till then been engagedinside the open top of the beadanchoring ring 40.are released therefrom.As a consequence, the umbrella frame is rendered to a slightly openposition as shown in FIG. 2. Concurrently therewith, the engaging notch42a of the locking member 38 is brought into engagement with thelowermost end edge ofthe bead-anchoring ring, and a hook 38a formed atthe upper end'ofthe locking member 38 is brought into engagement withthe lowermost end edge of the tubular grip sleeveof the fourth ring 24.Thus, the opening movement of the umbrella frame is positively halted ina slightly open position. In this state of the umbrella frame, .afurther and greater pressure may be applied to the upper touch piece 35bof the double-acting depressable button 35. whereupon, the engagingnotch 42a of the locking member 38 is disengaged from the lowermost endedge of the beadanchoring ring 40 and accordingly the hook 38a isrelieved of its engagement'with the lower end edge of the tubular gripsleeve 25, to enable both the first coil spring 10 and the 1 second coilspring 23 to expand freely. Let us assume that the lower shaft member 4and the outer shaft member 1 which engages. this lower shaft member 4 bythe spring-actuated locking member 37 are both stationary because thegrip 9 is held by the hand of the user. The expansion of the first coilspring 10 causes an increase in the distance between the two tubularwashers 28 and 30 which are housed in the outer shaft member 1. As aresult, the intermediate shaft member 3 is pushed upwardly within theouter shaft member 1. Concurrently therewith, the second coil spring 23which is mounted around the tubular sleeve member 16 is allowed toexpand. However, the opposite ends of the pin 21 which passes across theintermediate shaft member 3 are fixed to the opposing side walls of thewasher ring 22 after passing transversely therethrough, said washer ring22 supporting the lower end of the. second coil'spring 23. Therefore,this washer ring 22 is subjected to the upward driving force exerted bythe first coil spring 10 and also to the downward driving force impartedby the second coil spring 23. When these two driving forces arebalanced, the expansion of the first coil spring 10 stops. whereupon,the expanding force of the second coil spring 23 acts in such adirection as will push the sleeve member 16 and the third ring 17upwardly along the outer shaft member 1. With the eventual attenuationof the expanding force of the second coil spring 23, the first coilspring 10 is again actuated to push the washer ring 22 upwardly. In thisway, these two coil springs and 23 are actuated in alternatelyassociated fashion to expand gradually. During the foregoing operation,the limit of distance covered by the intermediate shaft member 3 as itis pushed upwardly by the first coil spring 10 corresponds to the lengthof the elongated slit 33 of the tubular stopper member 31 which isprovided at the bottom of the guide core rod 29 which is coupled to thelower end of the intermediate shaft member 3. The intermediate shaftmember 3 stops its upward movement at a position in which the pin 34which passes across the lower shaft member 4 hits the bottom of the saidelongated slit 33. On the other hand, as the third ring 17 movesupwardly along the outer shaft member 1 and as this third ring 17approaches the second ring 12 provided at the upper end of the outershaft member 1, the supporting rod 18 is caused to spread. Concurrentlytherewith, the tubular extensible rod 14 which is pivotably attached, byan auxiliary rod, to the second ring 12 is extended for a small distancefrom the auxiliary rod 140, and as a result, the umbrella frame openscompletely. If the second ring 12 is coupled to the fitting by anon-extensible rod having a fixed length in place of the extensible rod14, there will be encountered a great difficulty in opening and closingthe umbrella frame, causing a twisting stress in the second ring 12 withrespect to the outer shaft member 1. This automatic opening operationcannot be regulated manually, and therefore when such an umbrella is tobe opened automatically by utilizing spring force, it will becomeimpossible to expect smooth opening of the umbrella. In order to avoidthis inconvenience, the present invention provides an extensible rod 14having a tubular open end portion in which is slidably received one endportion ofa short auxiliary rod 14a of which the other end is pivotablyattached to the second ring 12 fixed to the slidable outer shaftmember 1. As a consequence, it will be understood that when the umbrellais opened, the auxiliary rod I4a extends for a small distance from theopen end of the tubular rod 14 as shown in FIG. 3 to increase thedistance of connection between the second ring 12 of the outer shaftmember I and the fitting 15, Conversely, as the umbrella is closed, thefree end of the auxiliary rod 14a is received progressively into thetubular rod 14 as shown in FIG. 4 to decrease the distance of connectionbetween said two members 12 and 15. Thus, when this umbrella is quicklyopened automatically by utilizing spring force, the ribs may be spreadsmoothly without any difficulty or stress developing in the frame parts.

In a manner as described, the upper shaft member 2 is pushed upwardly bythe intermediate shaft member 3. During this course of upward movementof the upper shaft member 2 along the elongated slits l3 and 13, theupper shaft member 2 protrudes progressively from the upper end edge ofthe outer shaft member 1 while increasing the distance between thesecond ring 12 and the fixed first ring 6 and thereby progressivelyspreading the ribs 5. Along with this, the fourth ring 24 as well as thetubular grip sleeve 25 are pulled upwardly along the outer shaft member1 via the spokes 26 which are pivotably coupled to the fittings 15a,respectively. The automatic opening of the umbrella completes when theupper face ofthe fourth ring 24 hits the washer ring 22. During thismovement, the coil spring 7 which is coupled to each rib 5 via thepulling rod 8 which, in turn, is coupled to auxiliary ring 60 which isintegral with but somewhat spaced from the fixed first ring 6 is causedto expand to accumulate its restoring force.

Description will next be directed to the manner in which the umbrella isautomatically closed. As shown in FIG. 4, the spring-actuated lockingmember 37 may be depressed by the application ofa pressure onto thelower touch piece 35a ofthe double-acting depressable button 35, torelease the locking member 37 from the engaging hole la formed in thelower end portion of the outer shaft member 1. whereupon, the outershaft member 1 as well as the bead-anchoring ring 40 are caused to moveupwardly along the lower shaft member 4 by virtue of the restoring forceof the coil spring 7 coupled to the rib 5. The upward movement of theouter shaft member 1 means the relative downward movement of the uppershaft member 2 into the outer shaft member 1. This relative movement ofthese two shaft members causes a progressive reduction of the distancebetween the fixed first ring 6 and the second ring 12 provided at theupper end of the outer shaft member 1. Whereby, the ribs 5 are caused toclose. Along with this, the tubular extensible rod 14 is caused to swingat its pivotal point at the fitting 15, while pushing, via thesupporting rod 18, both the third ring 17 and the sleeve member 16downwardly along the outer shaft member I up to the lower end of theelongated slits 20 and 20, and at the same time pushing, via the spoke26, both the fourth ring 24 and the tubular grip sleeve 25 downwardly,so that the lower end edge of the tubular grip sleeve 25 is brought intoengagement with the hook 38a of the spring-actuated locking member 38which is housed in the bead-anchoring ring 40. It should be noted that,in this state, both the first coil spring 10 and the second coil spring23 remain to be relaxed or expanded. Thereafter, the grip 9 may bepushed toward the top ofthe shaft. whereupon, the lower shaft member 4is accordingly caused to move upwardly. As a consequence, as shown inFIG. 2, the spring-actuated locking member 37 is brought into engagementwith the engaging hole 1a formed in the lower end portion ofthe outershaft member 1. Also, the bead-anchoring ring 40 makes a downwardmovement together with the outer shaft member 1, so that these twomembers are received in the top opening of the grip 9. Along therewith,the upward movement of the lower shaft member 4 acts to compress thefirst coil spring 10 which is provided between the intermediate shaftmember 3 and the lower shaft member 4. Thus, the compressible first coilspring 10 accumulates its restoring force. Owing to pressure applied tothe intermediate shaft member 3 by the first coil spring 10 as it isbeing compressed, the pin 21 which passes across the intermediate shaftmember 3 is subjected to a pressure, resulting in that the washer ring22 being pushed upwardly along the elongated slits l9 and 19 of thesleeve member 16 and along the elongated slits 20 and 20 of the outershaft member 1 to compress the second coil spring 23, and thus thelatter accumulates its restoring force. In this state, the hook 38a ofthe spring-actuated locking member 38 is brought into engagement withthe lower end edge of the tubular grip sleeve 25 and the entire movementof the umbrella frame ceases. The free ends of the ribs 5 may now begathered and the bead-anchoring ring 40 may be moved upwardly.Whereupon, the ribs 5 are anchored inside the top opening of thebead-anchoring ring 40 as shown in FIG. 1. Along with this, the coilspring 41 which is provided between the beadanchoring ring 40 and thestopper ring 39 securely mounted on the outer shaft member I iscompressed, and at the same time, the engaging notch 42a of thespring-actuated locking member 38 is brought into engagement with thelowermost end edge of the bead-anchoring ring 40. Thus, the umbrella nowpresents a configuration convenient for being carried along.

As stated above, the automatically openable and closable umbrella of thepresent invention is opened by the expanding forces of the two first andsecond coil springs 10 and 23 which' are compressively mounted insideand outside the outer shaft member 1, respectively. Besides. these twocoil springs 10 and 23 act in mutually associated relationship, so thatthe umbrella is opened gradually progressively and smoothly. Thus. thedanger due to abrupt spreading may be avoided.

The conventional umbrella which is adapted to open automatically byrelying on theexpanding force of a single compressible coil springmounted around the portion of the slidable lowermost ring had thedrawback that it could not be opened smoothly because of, for example,the engagement or contact of the coil spring with the gathered ribswhich arised during the initial course of opening. This drawback of theprior art is solved by the present invention in which the compressiblesecond coil spring 23 is mounted around the tubular sleeve member 16 ofthe third ring 17. The shortage of the spring force of this second coilspring 23 is compensated for by the compressible first coil spring 10which is provided within the outer shaft member 1. Thus, there is noneed to provide the outer second coil spring in a particularly largesize, and thus, it is possible to provide the umbrella having anagreeable external appearance.

The first coil spring 10 housed in the outer shaft member 1 is woundaround the guide core rod. Therefore, this coil spring 10 is able toexpand or to be compressed linearly. In addition, the expansion of thecoil spring 10 is restricted by the elongated slit formed in the tubularstopper member provided at the lower end of the guide core rod. Thus,the coil spring 10 may be expanded or compressed always not too tightly'or too loosely. Furthermore, the provision of the double-actingdepressable button 35 attached to the grip 9 permits the automaticopening and closing of the umbrella to beeffected very easily andsmoothly by the mere depression ofthe said button, so that the umbrellamay be handled with a greatly simplified procedure.

According to the present invention, the aforesaid doubleactingdepressable button 35 may be substituted by the arrangement shown inFIGS. 24 through 32. More specifically, a projecting flange 43 is formedin the vicinity of the lower end of the tubular grip sleeve 25 formedintegrally with the fourth ring 24 (see FIG. 24). This projecting flange43 is provided with a notch or groove 43a. In this groove is received alocking member 44 (see FIGS. 26 and 27). This locking member 44 ispivotably attached to a steel wire 45 which is wound around theprojecting flange 43. The locking member 44 has a forward end portionwhich constitutes a pawl 44a. Through an opening 47 of the tubular gripsleeve 25, this pawl 44a is forced into a small opening lb which isformed near the lower end of the outer shaft member I and is held therein engagement in said opening lb. The outer shaft member 1 is providedwith an engaging hole la below said small opening 1b. The lower shaftmember 4 houses therein a spring member 48 which has a hookingprojection 4811 near the lower end thereof. This hooking projection 48ais engaged in said engag' ing hole 1a after passing through an engaginghole 4a formed through the wall of the lower shaft member 4. The springmember 48 also has a push-button 48b at the lower end thereof. Thispush-button 48b located at the lower end of the spring member 48 isexposed outwardly in the vicinity of the upper end of the grip 9 throughthe engaging hole 4a of the lower shaft member 4. Whenever the fourthring 24 is placed in its lowermost position, the push-button 48b iscovered by a cover member 49 which is mounted to the lower end of thetubular grip sleeve 25 so that said push-button 48b is not exposed. Inthis state, the lower end of the locking member 44 is received in arecess 50 of the cover member 49, and only the press-button 44b of thelocking member 44 is exposed outside the cover member, 49. Abead-anchoring ring 51 which is manually moved vertically, with itsinner side wall surface being in slidable contact with the external faceof the projecting flange 43 of the tubular grip sleeve 25 is slidablymounted on the lower end of the tubular grip sleeve 25,

By the use of the umbrella having the foregoing arrangement, thebead-anchoring ring 51 is manually pushed downwardly from the closedposition of the umbrella shown in FIG. 24 up to the position in whichthe bead-anchoring ring 51 is brought into contact with the upper faceof the cover member 49. Whereupon, the lower free end of the rib isreleased from the inside ofthe open top ofthe bead-anchoring ring 51 andthe umbrella frame is rendered to a slightly open state as shown in FIG.25. In this position of the umbrella, the press-button 44b which isexposed outside thecover member 49 may be depressed. Whereby, the pawl44a of the locking member 44 is disengaged from the small opening lb ofthe outer shaft member I, and both the inner first coil spring and theouter second coil spring 23 are allowed to expand freely. In a mannersimilar to that described in connection with the umbrella frame equippedwith a double-acting depressable button, the umbrella is caused to openautomatically. During this opening movement, the fourth ring 24 as wellas the tubular grip sleeve 25, the cover member 49 and thebead-anchoring ring 51 are pulled upwardly along the outer shaft member1 via the spoke 26 coupled to the fitting 15a.

When it is intended to effect automatic closing of the umbrella, itshould be noted that the push-button 48b which has been coveredinitially in the cover member 49 as shown by the phantom lines in FIG.26 is caused to be exposed near the open top ofthe grip 9 as the resultof the upward movement of the cover member 49 caused by the opening ofthe umbrella frame. This push-button 48b may be depressed. Whereupon,the locking projection 48a of the spring member 48 is disengaged fromthe small opening lb of the outer shaft member 1 so that this lattershaft member I is released from its engagement with the lower shaftmember 4 to close the umbrella During this closing movement, the fourthring 24, as well as the tubular grip sleeve 25, the cover member 49 andthe beadanchoring ring 51' are pushed downwardly up to the positionsshown in FIG. 27. As a consequence, the pawl 44a of the locking member44 provided in the tubular grip sleeve 25 is brought into engagementwith the engaging hole 10 of the outer shaft member 1. In this state,neither the first coil spring 10 nor the second coil spring 23 is yetcompressed but remains to be expanded.

Next, the grip 9 may be pushed toward the top of the shaft. Whereuponthe lower shaft member 4 makes an upward movement. As a result, as shownin FIG. 25, the push-button 48b of the spring member 48 housed in thelower shaft member 4 is received inside the cover member 49 through therecess 50 ofthe cover member 49, while on the other hand the engaginghole la formed in the lower end portion ofthe outer shaft member 1 isbrought into engagement with the locking projection 48a. Thereupon, thefree ends of the ribs 5 may be gathered and thereafter thebead-anchoring ring 51 is manually moved upwardly. Whereby, the ribs 5are brought into engagement with the inside of the open top of thebeadanchoring ring 51, and the umbrella frame resumes the initialposition shown in FIG. 24 which is convenient for carriage.

As stated above, it will be noted that the press-button 44b of thelocking member 44 which is actuated when the umbrella is openedautomatically is exposed outside the cover member 49 which is mounted tothe lower end of the tubular grip sleeve 25 of the fourth ring 24. Incontrast to this, the push-button 48b of the spring member 48 which isused when the umbrella is closed automatically is hidden within thecover member 49. Thus, there arises no casual depression of thepush-button 48b which is assigned for opening the umbrellaautomatically. Also, when the umbrella is closed automatically, both thefourth ring-24 and the cover member 49 make an upward movement along theouter shaft member 1 so that the pushbutton 48b is exposed at the lowerend of the lower shaft member 4. Therefore, this push-button 48b isexposed at the lower end of the lower shaft member 4. Therefore, thispushbutton 48b may be depressed without failure. As such, thisarrangement obviates the confusion which may arise in an umbrellaequipped with a double-acting depressable button as to which of theupper and lower portions of the double-acting depressable button 35should be depressed when it is intended to open or close the umbrellaautomatically. Thus, there is a clear differentiation in use ofthese twobuttons.

What is claimed is:

1- An automatically openable and closable umbrella compllSlngZ a shafthaving. a tubular outer shaft member (1) slidably housing therein anupper (2), an intermediate (3) and a lower (4) tubular shaft members,

a first ring (6) fixed to the upper portion of said upper shaft member(1') and pivotably carrying ribs (5) and umbrellaclosing compressiblespring means (7), (8) fixed at one end to an intermediate portion ofsaid ribs and at the other end to said fixed ring at a spaced positionfrom the rib pivoted to said fixed ring,

a second ring (12) mounted on said shaft below said first ring (6) andfixed to said outer shaft member (I) and pivotably carrying extensiblerods (14) pivotably supporting said ribs v a third ring (17) mounted onsaid shaft below said second ring (12) and pivotably carrying supportingrods (18) pivotably supporting said extensible rods 14),

a fourth ring 24) mounted on said shaft below said third ring (17) andpivotably carrying, at a site other than the pivotal point of each ofsaid extensible rods l4), spokes (26) pivotably supporting said ribs(5),

compressible first spring means for opening the umbrella and providedbetween said intermediate 3) and said lower (4) shaft members to urgethem apart,

compressible second spring means (23) for opening the umbrella mountedon said shaft between said third ring (17) and a washer ring (22)securely attached to said intermediate shaft member (3) so as to slideon said outer shaft member (1), said second spring means being capableof urging said upper and intermediate shaft members (2), (3) apart withrespect to said outer and lower shaft I members (1), (4),

latch means for opening the umbrella capableof disengageably engagingsaid fourth ring, and

latch means for closing the umbrella provided in the lower portion ofthe lower shaft member (4) and capable of releasing the outer shaftmember (1) from its engagement with the lower shaft member (4).

2. An automatically openable and closable umbrella according to claim 1,in which:

said umbrella-closing compressible spring means comprises a compressiblecoil spring (7) and a rod (8) having one end secured to said coil spring(7) and the other end pivotably attached to said fixed first ring (6) ata position spaced from the rib pivoted to said first ring (6);

a grip (9) is secured to the lower portion of the lower shaft member(4);

said third ring (17) has a tubular sleeve (16) secured thereto andprovided with a longitudinally extending slit (1 the secure attachmentof said washer ring (22) to the intermediate s haft member (3) iseffected by a pin (21) slidably received through an elongated slit (19)of said tubular sleeve (16) and through an elongated slit (20) of theouter shaft member (1);

said extensible rod (14) comprises two members (14),

( 14a) one of which is slidably received in the other;

said latch means for opening the umbrella comprises a member (38)capable of latching said fourth ring (24) with respect to the outershaft member 1);

said latch means for closing the umbrella comprises a member (37)capable of latching said outer shaft member (1) with respect to thelower shaft member 4); and

said two latch means are adapted to be actuated by a double-actingdepressable means (35) provided between these two latch means.

3. An automatically openable and closable umbrella according to claim 1,in which:

said umbrella-closing compressible first spring means (10) is a coilspring mounted on a guide core rod 29) received in the outer shaftmember (1) for sliding axially thereof;

said guide core rod (29) has an upper end portion secured to the lowerend portion of the intermediate shaft member (3) and has a lower endportion secured to a tubular stopper member (31) having an elongatedslit (33) for restricting the sliding movement of the lower shaft member(4) to cause the intermediate shaft member (3) to move closer to or awayfrom the lower shaft member 4) via the umbrella-opening first springmeans 10).

4. An automatically openable and closable umbrella according to claim 1,in which:

. said umbrella-opening latch means comprises a member (38) secured tothe lower portion of the outer shaft member (1) to latch said fourthring 24 with respect to said outer shaft member (1), said member (38)having two engaging portions (42a), (42b) capable of locking arib-anchoring member (40) in two steps, said rib-anchoring member (40)being mounted slidably on the outer shaft member and housing therein acompressible spring means (41) normally urging the rib-anchoring member(40) to move downwardly with respect to the outer shaft member (1).

5. An automatically openable and closable umbrella according to claim 1,in which:

said umbrella-opening latch means has a locking member (44) pivotablyattached to the fourth ring (24) and adapted to engage a small opening(lb) formed in the lower portion of the outer shaft member l saidumbrella-closing latch means has a spring member (48) received in thelower shaft member (4) and equipped with a locking projection (480)formed integrally therewith for causing said outer shaft member (1) todisengageably engage the lower shaft member (4) through their alignedopenings,

said fourth ring (24) has a cover member (49) for preventing casualdepression of the locking projection (48a) during the downward movementof said fourth ring (24).

1. An automatically openable and closable umbrella comprising: a shafthaving a tubular outer shaft member (1) slidably housing therein anupper (2), an intermediate (3) and a lower (4) tubular shaft members, afirst ring (6) fixed to the upper portion of said upper shaft member (1)and pivotably carrying ribs (5) and umbrella-closing compressible springmeans (7), (8) fixed at one end to an intermediate portion of said ribsand at the other end to said fixed ring at a spaced position from therib pivoted to said fixed ring, a second ring (12) mounted on said shaftbelow said first ring (6) and fixed to said outer shaft member (1) andpivotably carrying extensible rods (14) pivotably supporting said ribs(5), a third ring (17) mounted on said shaft below said second ring (12)and pivotably carrying supporting rods (18) pivotably supporting saidextensible rods (14), a fourth ring (24) mounted on said shaft belowsaid third ring (17) and pivotably carrying, at a site other than thepivotal point of each of said extensible rods (14), spokes (26)pivotably supporting said ribs (5), compressible first spring means (10)for opening the umbrella and provided between said intermediate (3) andsaid lower (4) shaft members to urge them apart, compressible secondspring means (23) for opening the umbrella mounted on said shaft betweensaid third ring (17) and a washer ring (22) securely attached to saidintermediate shaft member (3) so as to slide on said outer shaft member(1), said second spring means being capable of urging said upper andintermediate shaft members (2), (3) apart with respect to said outer andlower shaft members (1), (4), latch means for opening the umbrellacapable of disengageably engaging said fourth ring, and latch means forclosing the umbrella provided in the lower portion of the lower shaftmember (4) and capable of releasing the outer shaft member (1) from itsengagement with the lower shaft member (4).
 2. An automatically openableand closable umbrella according to claim 1, in which: saidumbrella-closing compressible spring means comprises a compressible coilspring (7) and a rod (8) having one end secured to said coil spring (7)and the other end pivotably attached to said fixed first ring (6) at aposition spaced from the rib pivoted to said first ring (6); a grip (9)is secured to the lower portion of the lower shaft member (4); saidthird ring (17) has a tubular sleeve (16) secured thereto and providedwith a longitudinally extending slit (19); the secure attachment of saidwasher ring (22) to the intermediate shaft member (3) is effected by apin (21) slidably received through an elongated slit (19) of saidtubular sleeve (16) and through an elongated slit (20) of the outershaft member (1); said extensible rod (14) comprises two members (14),(14a) one of which is slidably received in the other; said latch meansfor opening the umbrella comprises a member (38) capable of latchingsaid fourth ring (24) with respect to the outer shaft member (1); saidlatch means for closing the umbrella comprises a member (37) capable oflatching said outer shaft member (1) with respect to the lower shaftmember (4); and said two latch means are adapted to be actuated by adouble-acting depressable means (35) provided between these two latchmeans.
 3. An automatically openable and closable umbrella according toclaim 1, in which: said umbrella-closing compressible first spring means(10) is a coil spring mounted on a guide core rod (29) received in theouter shaft member (1) for sliding axially thereof; said guide core rod(29) has an upper end portion secured to the lower end portion of theintermediate shaft member (3) and has a lower end portion secured to atubular stopper member (31) having an elongated slit (33) forrestricting the sliding movement of the lower shaft member (4) to causethe intermediate shaft member (3) to move closer to or away from thelower shaft member (4) via the umbrella-opening first spring means (10).4. An automatically openable and closable umbrella according to claim 1,in which: said umbrella-opening latch means comprises a member (38)secured to the lower portion of the outer shaft member (1) to latch saidfourth ring 24 with respect to said outer shaft member (1), said member(38) having two engaging portions (42a), (42b) capable of locking arib-anchoring member (40) in two steps, said rib-anchoring member (40)being mounted slidably on the outEr shaft member and housing therein acompressible spring means (41) normally urging the rib-anchoring member(40) to move downwardly with respect to the outer shaft member (1). 5.An automatically openable and closable umbrella according to claim 1, inwhich: said umbrella-opening latch means has a locking member (44)pivotably attached to the fourth ring (24) and adapted to engage a smallopening (1b) formed in the lower portion of the outer shaft member (1),said umbrella-closing latch means has a spring member (48) received inthe lower shaft member (4) and equipped with a locking projection (48a)formed integrally therewith for causing said outer shaft member (1) todisengageably engage the lower shaft member (4) through their alignedopenings, said fourth ring (24) has a cover member (49) for preventingcasual depression of the locking projection (48a) during the downwardmovement of said fourth ring (24).